Eber has a modest part in Genesis, but the writer chooses to give his name a place of honour. Shem is called “the father of all the children of Eber” (Genesis 10:21), so the line seems to matter. Eber is the son of Salah, and he has two sons: Peleg, named because “in his days was the earth divided,” and Joktan. Chronicles repeats the line, and the name appears once more in a priestly list in Nehemiah 12:20. The text does not explain what division it means. Readers who want to follow the family should read Genesis 10:21-25 and then Genesis 11:14-17.
9 verses
Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan.
Eber, Peleg, Reu,
Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Beyond. (1.). The third post-duluvian patriach after Shem (Gen. 10:24; 11:14). He is regarded as the founder of the Hebrew race (10:21; Num. 24:24). In Luke 3:35 he is called Heber.
(2.) One of the seven heads of the families of the Gadites (1 Chr. 5:13).
(3.) The oldest of the three sons of Elpaal the Benjamite (8:12).
(4.) One of the heads of the familes of Benjamites in Jerusalem (22).
(5.) The head of the priestly family of Amok in the time of Zerubbabel (Neh. 12:20).
William Smith, 1884
(the region beyond).
(1.) Son of Salah, and great-grandson of Shem. (Genesis 10:24; 1 Chronicles 1:19) (B.C. 2277-1813.) [For confusion between Eber and Heber see HEBER]
(2.) Son of Elpaal and descendant of Sharahaim of the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 8:12) (B.C. 1400).
(3.) A priest in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua. (Nehemiah 12:20) (B.C. 445.)